STMicroelectronics Launches AI-Accelerated Automotive MCU
Stellar P3E integrates real-time control and AI acceleration for software-defined vehicles.
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STMicroelectronics has introduced the Stellar P3E, the automotive industry’s first microcontroller (MCU) with built-in AI acceleration for edge intelligence. Designed for next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the new MCU integrates high-performance real-time processing with dedicated neural network acceleration in a single device.
The Stellar P3E simplifies multi-function integration for X-in-1 Electronic Control Units (ECUs), helping automakers reduce system cost, wiring complexity, and overall vehicle weight while enhancing intelligence at the edge.
Real-Time AI at the Edge
A defining feature of the Stellar P3E is the integrated ST Neural-ART Accelerator™, a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) optimized for automotive AI workloads. This architecture enables:
- Inference processing at microsecond speeds
- Up to 30× greater efficiency versus traditional MCU cores
- Always-on, low-power AI capabilities
- Support for virtual sensors and predictive maintenance
By shifting neural processing from centralized compute hubs to distributed edge nodes, the P3E enables sub-millisecond decision-making critical for advanced in-vehicle intelligence. Applications range from EV charging optimization and smart sensing to hybrid powertrain control and zonal body architectures.
Designed for Software-Defined Vehicles
The Stellar P3E supports scalable software architectures through xMemory, ST’s proprietary phase-change memory (PCM) technology. With twice the density of conventional embedded flash and automotive qualification, xMemory enables:
- Dynamic software expansion
- Over-the-air feature upgrades
- Long-term platform scalability without hardware redesign
The MCU is also fully integrated within the ST Edge AI Suite ecosystem, including support for NanoEdge AI Studio and Stellar Studio development tools, streamlining deployment from dataset creation to on-device inference.
Key Technical Highlights
- 500 MHz Arm® Cortex®-R52+ cores delivering over 8,000 CoreMark
- Split-lock architecture for safety and performance optimization
- Rich analog and I/O capabilities for motor control and vehicle dynamics
- Open Arm architecture for accelerated software development
Production of the Stellar P3E is scheduled to begin in Q4 2026.
With the Stellar P3E, STMicroelectronics establishes a new benchmark for combining automotive functional safety, real-time control, and embedded AI acceleration—advancing the evolution of intelligent, software-defined mobility.
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